Gwyneth J. Saunders/The Sun Today Ballroom Dance Club president and first vice president Jan and Bob Kelly take a spin on the dance floor in the open dance portion of the club's Friday night dances. The first hour is set aside for lessons, the second hour is for dancing to a variety of music.

T-A-n-g-o. T-A-n-g-o. Step by step, Armando Aseneta and Melissa Newsted take their students through the moves for the spirited Argentinian dance and another Ballroom Dance Club evening begins.

Aseneta and Newsted bring their Fred Astaire Studios dance skills to Sun City every Friday night the club meets. The beginning dancers as well as some of the more experienced members take advantage of the opportunity to learn and hone these moves.

The tango is just one of the many lessons taught by the professionals. They've also taught the waltz, swing, foxtrot and rumba, among others.

"We teach all different abilities," said Aseneta. They'll teach the basic steps and then add the moves for the forte and the promenade.

For those who want to practice it again or missed it on Friday night, Bob Kelly will reteach Friday's lessons on Saturdays. Kelly is first vice president of the group and his wife, Jan is president.

"For me, I think it's in my blood," said Jan about dancing. "I think I danced in my playpen."

Dance fans don't have to start that early.

"You get hooked on it," said Ed Amundsen. "I started at 33."

Amundsen is often the DJ for dances and he and his wife Adrienne love it.

"We're not professional but we've done it so long and we practice," he said.

That is the sentiment from their fellow dancers who whirl around the floor in the sultry dance.

"It's good socially. It's good friends," said Helen Perry. "You're socializing and dancing. It's just fun for the whole night. And it's good exercise."

And good exercise it is. Sodas and water are available for dancers who work up a thirst.

The first hour goes by fast and the lesson is over. Then the real dancing begins as more members arrive and put on their dancing shoes.

Alina Goglia persuaded Steve Padolik to come to the dance.

"I was very nervous. I'd do it again," said Padolik, "but I'm a rock 'n' roller. I'm more comfortable in a mosh pit."

"I first came two years ago," Goglia said. "It is good exercise. It puts a smile on your face. Keeps you young forever."

A pair who stay young dancing are centenarian Hazel Burger and her escort Fred Zoda.

"I love dancing. I like the music. I have a great love of music," Zoda. "I love doing what I call romantic dancing. We do a lot of cheek-to-cheek."

STEP TO THE MUSIC

Join the Ballroom Dance Club Fridays. Lessons are from 6-7 p.m.; dancing is from 7-8:30 p.m. in Pinckney Hall.